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This is a toy ray gun called the Daisy Zooka Pop Pistol. It has the same appearance as the Buck Rogers XZ-35 "Wilma Deering" Rocket Pistol of 1935 except for the colors and was re-issued by the same company in 1952. This practice, of "resurrecting" toys with new lithography allowed toy companies to introduce new models without doing all of the development and retooling work necessary to create an entirely new toy.

Fictional space heroes often carried space-themed versions of the Western's ever-present six-shooter or rifle. As a result, for several generations, pretend gun play with ray gun toys formed a central part of many children's imagined space adventures. Exactly how one blasted space enemies often reflected the newest technologies. In the late 1940s, "atomic" guns proliferated. "Laser" guns followed the creation of the practical laser in 1960.

Collector Michael O'Harro donated this toy ray gun to the Museum in 1993.

 Display Status

This object is on display in James S. McDonnell Space Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

James S. McDonnell Space Hangar
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type MEMORABILIA-Popular Culture Manufacturer Daisy Manufacturing Co.
 Dimensions 3-D: 17.8 x 3.8 x 12.7cm (7 x 1 1/2 x 5 in.)
 Materials Overall, pressed metal, probably copper
 Inventory Number A19970784000 Credit Line Gift of Michael O'Harro. Restrictions Unknown, Trademarked Daisy Manufacturing Co. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.